Earth Day History
Did you know that Philadelphia was the first city to host an Earth Week? In 1970, Philadelphians celebrated from April 16 to April 22. The largest gatherings that week happened on Independence Mall on April 21 and Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park on April 22. Tens of thousands of people showed up to express their desire for greater protections for people and the environment. Overall, 20 million people across the United States participated in the inaugural Earth Day. They organized sit-ins and other demonstrations, held educational teach-ins, carried out community improvement projects, and more.
This year we are celebrating Earth Week differently but that does not mean it can’t be as impactful! Read below for a list of activities, virtual events, and resources, including the launch of our 2020 Greenworks Review magazine.
Activities
- Greenworks Review Activity Guide
- Philly Transit Quiz
- City-wide Litter Index Activity
- How to Regrow Vegetables
- Native Plant Matching Activity
- Philly Voting Guide
- Complete the Earth Day Challenge: Take daily actions throughout the month of April.
- Time travel to Earth Day 1970: Check out Temple’s Digital Archives for throwback photos.
- View interactive maps of Philly parks: Plan a future trip to some place you’ve never been.
- Color 2019 Parks on Tap locations: This post card series is illustrated by Fairmount Park Conservancy member Emily Joynton.
- Explore Justseeds’ archive of social movement graphics: These artworks raise awareness of and highlight a variety of social movements.
- Take joyful movements at home: Check out free workouts and other tips to keep you moving.
- Practice self-care in isolation: Use a guide by Porch Light, a partnership between Mural Arts and the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS).
- Get prepared for the upcoming elections: Pennsylvania’s primary election has been rescheduled to June 2. May 18 is now the last day to register to vote. May 26 at 5 p.m. is now the deadline to sign up to vote by mail ballot.
- Complete the 2020 Census: Help our city get the funding it needs for schools, healthcare, housing, transportation and more.
Virtual Events
- Apr 20 – TTF Spring Bioblitz
- Apr 20 – Live Science Storytime with Bee
- Apr 20 – Earth Day at 50: How Grassroots Organizing Became Part of our National Consciousness
- Apr 20 – Earth Week Activism, Quarantine Edition
- Apr 21 – Don’t Be A Drip: Rain Barrel Workshop
- Apr 22 – Greenworks Review magazine Launch
- Apr 22 – Earth Day at 50: Student-led Environmental Justice Teach-in
- Apr 22 – Jumpstarting Zero Waste in Your Office or Business
- Apr 22 – 50 Years of Earth Day: Digital Celebration
- Apr 22 – Weaver’s Way: The Power of Cooperatives in Renewable Energy
- Apr 22/24 – Earth Day Live
- Apr 24 – City Nature Challenge
- Apr 24 – C-PACE Webinar
- Apr 24 – Creature Feature with Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion
- Apr 27 – Renewable Natural Gas Webinar
- Apr 29 – PHS Basic Tree Tenders Training
Check out the OOS Calendar or Grid Magazine for more virtual events!
